Enough is enough!

Whoever...whoever planned those blasts? What kind of elements are you made of? Did you not see the little 5 year old girl with 80% burn suffer in pain? How was she responsible in anyway? She was just coming back from school!

Have some respect for yourself - for the life that flows inside you. What pleasure do you get out of this? What is your whole point? Has anything ever been achieved by bomb blasts, by innocent killings? Do they help feed stomachs, create jobs, preserve identity? We all need a world to live in. Give that a thought.

I'm sure you're motivated enough. Just do a bit more - if you've convictions, speak them out, debate them out like a respectable intelligent human being - in forums, in books - let your voice be heard. Why go the terror way when you can solve problems by collaborating with the mainstream? Pause. Think. If you're doing these things in the name of conserving identity - do it with intellectual pursuits. If you're fighting for economic progress, lets all brainstorm and create jobs, build enterprises.

Speak out loud - what are your eventual objectives at human needs level?

Whatever they might be, they can't be achieved by killings. It is wise to use the energy more effectively elsewhere.

Assam bleeds...

My state bleeds. There are fumes everywhere.11 blasts in Assam.5 blasts in Guwahati in the span of 5 seconds. 68 dead. Hundreds are dead. What kind of statistics are these?

All I know is my state bleeds...Ganeshguri is in fumes. I grew up here. I walk these very area every single day when I visit home, and my family walks every day. I buy grocery here, catch an auto from the very auto stand and often plan a get-together in "Delicacy" - the restaurant which perhaps is in shambles today.

Panbazar DC Court - so much reminds me of my days in Cotton.

My Guwahati, my Assam is bleeding today.And I have no idea how do I react?

It took me quite some time to calm down. My needs in Guwahati have been very simple - home, school, college, friends, competition to get into the best college, shared cups of coffee, walks by Dighalipukhuripar,tuition in professor's colony, buying music from Meghali's in Panbazaar. I don't remember any hatred - all that we ever cared was to have momos with friends in the evening. And yeah - we also cared about Assamese music, the various folk cultures. Such peaceful was our land.

But like I told you before - our generation is different. We are better. We are big hearted. Hatred will not overcome us. We believe there is enough space for everyone to fit, and not kill for that piece of earth. We believe in sharing music. We believe in flaunting our different weaves. We believe in our simplicity. We believe in good life.

And thus, on a very bad day when my whole land is tattered, I have hopes. I'm listening to Papon - Angarag Mahanta. Papon, if you ever read this, I want to say "Thank you". Your voice and words bring in a sense of calm to this otherwise paranoid mind. We all need to be calm. We need to think.All we have is one life. Lets live it. Lets make it livable for everyone. Isn't that what we all need?

Fellow disturbed minds from the North Eastern corner, stay clam. Listen to a lot of music. I recommend Papon's music. It will soothe you. We have to go on. We have to bring in the peace. Lets keep believing in the walks by Dighalipukhuripar, in the evening momo sessions, in the shivers down the spine every time we listen someone mention North East - we're so proud of it, aren't we? Lets give peace a chance, hope a chance. Peace. Love. Empathy.

Ma,Deta,Moo - my life. God bless you always, and me to take care of you. God bless Rajib. God bless everyone's family. God give strength to every child to take care of her parents and siblings. I'm certain the world will be better. Believe.

God bless all the dogs. Powali, Utterly, Butterly, Deli, CORLEONE,BATHSHEBA, Smirnoff, Jerry, Jelly Bean,Jonaki, Tikhor, Chiku, Woolfie,Seuz, Blackie,Xonali,Travolta and all the other nameless four paws I know - without you I wouldn't have been me. Thanks for believing that I'm good. I wish I were half as good as you all think I'm.

Long live hope.Welcome strength, purpose.

We're a better generation....lets not be used!

Mark my words – we will soon see another hippie age round the corner. So much of violence, hatred has left the today’s youth clueless .....and hopeless. Life can’t go on without hope, as you can’t cycle without pedaling. The youth will find hope, in a similar way that they had found once – in a world of defiance from the world around, in a boundary-less world, in love and acceptance, in music and beads and colors and spiritual pursuits. The only difference is today’s youth has become educated enough not to use grass to achieve God. They will use art exhibitions, literary pursuits. Really – everyone is tired now. You’ve one life man, just live it. Smell the flowers. Make love. Raise healthy babies who will perpetuate “you” in this world when you’re gone, show the world to your parents, discover new things..... and yes work for improvement, for a better life. Aren’t you and I are of the same age – lets prove it to the upcoming world – only hard work wins, sincere efforts win. Reach out – lets join hands. We’ve seen enough of destruction.
In your heart and mine, what feelings reign? Purity of soul. Purity of purpose. Lets put it to good use – its all the same, believe me. Its peace that everyone wants. And yes, an equal world. Let’s achieve it. Actually, goodness is in abundance in this generation – more than it was ever in the world. We’re more united than ever. We are broader than ever. More progressive than ever. More compassionate than ever. Lets stop being used. The youth can rock the world. Listen to yours – what does yours say? Spread goodness. And live in peace!

Crafts Council Of India, Raintree etc

Now on the happier side. Or lets not label it “happy”. Let’s just call it “karma”. After a long time, I ventured out on my own today.
I took an auto rickshaw to Chitrakala Parishad where the Crafts Council Of India was holding an exhibition on textiles called “Vastrabharan”. Entrepreneurs, mostly women from different states of India displayed their weaves – sarees as well as fabrics. I must admit I was amazed – I must have away from the “weaves” scene for quite some time. A lot is happening. Young designers are implementing art inspirations on the sarees and the fabrics. They have “contemporarized” the age old saree. Innovation at play – blending of fabrics, new printing techniques, new color palette. Impressive!
I spoke to the convener – an elegant silver haired lady who willingly answered all my questions. The discussion soon went into the direction of the weaves of the North East. It seems lack of contemporary design sense and marketing talent, along with the steep pricing have stopped the same from becoming a viable business outside the North East. I couldn’t agree more. She asked me to be in touch with her and plan something.
Good – got a contact there.
Went to Raintree – the shopping extension of the Windsor Sheraton. Another good experience. There was an exhibition put up three lady entrepreneurs behind the cafe. Though they definitely came across as stay-at-home wives of rich and busy men who need some engagement, I must admit their assortment was more than just plain half-hearted time pass. I mean they have substance there. One of them sources eclectic jwellery; I really doubt her contribution to the business because all she does is “source” jwellery from abroad! C’mon!
The other two have implemented their creativity – one in diyas in mural, and the other in making tunics out of the left overs of her husband’s export business.
I ended up buying a few things for I needed a “conversation” with them. I’ve to do some serious follow-up and networking.
As anyone can make out, I’m tired and ready to hit the bed – but I’m trying hard to do this update. Many sad news around – a 26 year old journalist was shot dead last night when she was returning home from office. But now today – I will leave it to the cosmic force, I will do my karma – do my best, and then leave the rest to the one who knows it all, the force that rules the world. That’s what I can do best.

Believe in the light....its there...

What is this? A mockery of human life? What started in Bangalore, followed by Ahmedabad, then Delhi, Delhi again in two weeks Malegaon, Ahmedabad again, and now my very own North East. There’s a pain in my head that doesn’t seem to go. I’ve been praying and praying. God – the cosmic force give the world goodness, bless the world. I’m certain the prayers will be heard. Definitely heard. I’ve been driving my family crazy by forcing them indoors. But then – its the festive season. This is the time to visit friends and family and share the good times together. That’s naturally human spirit.
No. I’m not ready believe the other side. There will be peace. We must strongly believe in it.
When I was growing up, my worst fear was that I will be religious some day. I was young and defiance was my religion. I believed cosmic force is in me – I’m my hope, my faith, hence I’m religion. I believed “God” ? ( I wouldn’t even use the term for I didn’t believe in idols made of stone) is intelligence, wisdom, sensitivity, goodness – hence “God” was in me – and that was my religion. Somehow down the years – I “converted”, somewhat. The person who would never pray in the traditional, customary sense began praying. As I grew up, I needed those conversations – the onslaught of the world around me was becoming too much to handle with my so called “intelligence, wisdom”. I needed to have my moments with “God” who I still define as a cosmic force who surely “controls” the world in ways that I can’t define. I know there is some force.
Protect the world - that’s my earnest prayer. Protect my family. Protect everyone’s family.
Even when I was agnostic, I believed in the powers of the scriptures. For the fear of receiving the “biased” interpretation, I inferred my own lessons from the scriptures. And I believe in “Karma Yoga”. Whoever is distressed like me – try this, it works. Sink yourself in “Karma” – the good will come. Let the good cosmic rays radiate from you, good will come. And pray. Converse with the voice. Converse with the force. Stay calm. Its after all – intelligence, common sense that drives everything.
The good will come. That’s inevitable. Have faith.